The Beauty Mountain Wilderness encompasses a total of 15,627 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office. In 2009 the Beauty Mountain Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System.
The Beauty Mountain Wilderness is comprised of a series of steep, rugged mountainsides dominated by the 5,548 foot Beauty Mountain. This mountain rises above the more gentle relief of the plateau that forms the western half of the wilderness. Deep canyons have formed from drainage off the erosion-resistant ridges. Beauty Mountain’s Million Dollar Spring is considered to be one of the most pristine watersheds in all of southwestern California. This wilderness includes the largest blocks of undeveloped land in an area exploding with growth and is both a wildlife corridor and habitat for several endangered species—the California gnatchater and the Quino checkerspot butterfly. The wilderness boundaries on the north, east and west are irregular, delineated by surrounding private land. The eastern boundary follows the alignment of the California Riding and Hiking Trail.
In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of "...increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization,..." you play an important role in helping to "...secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness" as called for by Congress in the Wilderness Act of 1964. Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities.
How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply.
Leave No Trace principles:
Regulations:
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters, unless provided for in specific legislation.
The eastern boundary follows the alignment of the California Riding and Hiking Trail which can be accessed through Chihuahua Valley off State Highway 79.